The Best Safari Ever – part 1

I have been itching to get out and pay Mother Nature a visit, and see if I could capture some of the wildlife that has so recently become active.  I headed out early in the morning to Bay City State Recreation area hoping to catch a glimpse of a duck or red-winged blackbird.  Well, it turned out to be the best, most productive safari yet.  So productive, I have decided to split the results into two posts.

I found a wide variety of birds who seemed to be very eager to pose for me.  But that is not the best part.  I have been trying for over a year to get a good portrait of a particular critter.  Well, as I turned the corner on the trail and looked to the left, I saw…

Yes, the very common yet strangely elusive White Tail Deer.  Actually, with a closer look, I realized it was three deer.

They saw me there, and were wary, but that did not stop them from their grazing.  They seemed to take turns watching me.

Eventually the started to move on, and disappeared behind the bushes as they traveled along the edge of the pond.  I crept after them, hoping to get another glimpse.  Looking further down the trail, I saw the back end of one cross the trail and move into the woods.  Strange, I did not think the three would be that far down yet.  I kept watching and saw another cross, then another, and another, and another.  My three deer were actually five deer.  At least.

As I continued my walk, concentrating on the ducks and red-winged blackbirds (and other avian friends), I kept thinking about the deer, knowing that they must be within a couple hundred yards of me.  Suddenly I looked up and saw them again, crossing back over the trail to the pond side again. 

I watched all five cross, and moved on.  As I went around the pond I saw them, by the edge, feeding.

I am very grateful for these friendly deer.  It was quite a thrill to be that close to so many in the wild, and to be able to get such good pictures. 

I did see my birds, and a lot of them.  I will post those pictures in a day or two.  Thanks for stopping by!